PHL · Philadelphia, PA · Large Hub

Philadelphia International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 7 terminals, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 35 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Philadelphia: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

Philadelphia International Airport has 7 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Mostly airside-connected; F requires airside shuttle to others.

Terminals A-East / A-West

6 airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

American Airlines international hub.

Terminal B

1 airline: American Airlines

American domestic.

Terminal C

2 airlines: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines

Terminal D

3 airlines: Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines

Terminal E

4 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines

Terminal F

1 airline: American Airlines

American Eagle regional.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
35 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 15 min
Transfer system
Airside walkways connect Terminals A-F; shuttle bus for some outlier gates
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave PHL.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at PHL is 25 minutes at peak and 8 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at PHL, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

American Admirals Club

Terminal A

American / OneWorld

Access: Club membership

Amenities: Showers

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at PHL: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Admirals Clubs, Flagship

Sleep pods

Available (from $42/hr)

Minute Suites (Terminal B/C)

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Terminal A

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal A: Tony Luke's, Chickie's & Pete's

Ground transport to Philadelphia

PHL is about 25 min from downtown Philadelphia by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
SEPTA Airport Line
Train
Direct regional rail to Center City.
 $7 25-30 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $30-$50 20-40 min

Parking

PHL parking ranges from $18/day economy to $39/day short-term.

Short-term
$39/day
Long-term
$24/day
Economy
$18/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave PHL during a layover?

Yes, PHL is close enough to Philadelphia that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Philadelphia. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 min plus re-screening on return.

SEPTA rail to Center City in 25 min ($7). 3+ hour layovers can grab a cheesesteak and return with time to spare.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Philadelphia Airport Marriott
    On-airport
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at PHL?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from PHL, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at PHL?

PHL requires at least 35 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.

How long does it take to get between terminals at PHL?

Budget 8 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at PHL via Airside walkways connect Terminals A-F; shuttle bus for some outlier gates. Mostly airside-connected; F requires airside shuttle to others.

Can I leave PHL during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, PHL is close enough to Philadelphia that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 minutes plus re-screening. SEPTA rail to Center City in 25 min ($7). 3+ hour layovers can grab a cheesesteak and return with time to spare.

Does PHL have showers?

Yes, PHL has showers at Admirals Clubs, Flagship.

Does PHL have sleep pods?

Yes. Minute Suites (Terminal B/C) offers private sleep rooms starting around $42/hour.

Is WiFi free at PHL?

Yes. PHL offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from PHL to Philadelphia?

The cheapest option is typically SEPTA Airport Line at $7, taking 25-30 minutes. Direct regional rail to Center City.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at PHL?

PHL supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes.

Where should I eat at PHL during a layover?

Notable dining at PHL includes Tony Luke's (Terminal A), Chickie's & Pete's (Terminal A).

How much does parking cost at PHL?

PHL parking rates: $39/day short-term, $24/day long-term, $18/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at PHL for overnight layovers?

Yes. Philadelphia Airport Marriott is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at PHL?

PHL has 7 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminals A-East / A-West: American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways; Terminal B: American Airlines; Terminal C: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines; Terminal D: Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at PHL?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at PHL?

Yes. Terminal A.

Compare PHL to other airports

See how PHL ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers PHL ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods PHL has Minute Suites (Terminal B/C) from $42/hr Shortest MCT PHL dom-to-dom: 35 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

Airlines operating at PHL

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of PHL.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Philadelphia International Airport before flying.